Exercise Right Before A Test?

One of my great colleagues (thanks Dana) shared this interesting article with me. It discusses the amazing effect exercising right before a test can have on test scores. The article is talks about specifically the ACT and SAT, but why would it matter what test it is. For example, it should also help students at the elementary level with MCA or NWEA tests as well. I wish our school would experiment with this topic. To check out the article click the link below.
http://www.varsitytutors.com/blog/exercise+before+tests

"New Normal" Is Not Justification

Do you ever read something and want to talk specifically to the person quoted in the article or story? That would be me reading this story and many other stories that discuss cutting physical education. In this article titled "Worries mount over lack of physical education in schools", there is comment by a school district's spokesman that is frustrating and lacks justification. When discussing the physical education cuts in their district, a spokesman says "We would love to have the money to fund our PE specialists and the many other positions which have been lost over the past five years, but we are also faced with living in the new normal." Wait a minute, "new normal"?  What exactly does that mean? So would people losing their houses to foreclosure be a "new normal"? If that's the case, maybe I should cut out the rational spending from my family's plan of money management. Or maybe I should quit my job, because the "new normal" is to be unemployed. Childhood obesity is running rampant in our society and his justification of cutting a program that has an opportunity to make a difference is it's the "new normal". Things like "new normals" and past practices do not make things right. One of my biggest pet peeves in education is when someone responds with the old "because that's how we've always done it" comment. That must make it the right thing then (that's sarcasm). If I were in this district, I would be very disappointed with that ridiculous comment. If you are interested in the story, here's the link:  http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/04/134803/worries-mount-over-lack-of-physical.html

West Virginia Physical Activity Plan

I just recently heard about West Virginia's Physical Activity Plan.  Their mission is to create a healthier state, reduce health care costs, promote economic development, and enhance their peoples' quality of life.  I didn't read the whole 44 page plan, but I did read the education section on pages 15-17.  I thought this was an amazing looking plan that addresses a wide range of valid ideas.  I specifically enjoyed the ideas of holding physical education teachers accountable, mandating daily physical education, marketing campaign, and getting family and community involvement.  Check out the plan and share your opinions.
West Virgina Physical Activity web page http://www.wvphysicalactivity.org/?pid=0
PDF of Activity Plan http://www.wvphysicalactivity.org/documents/WV%20Physical%20Activity%20Plan_Final.pdf

P.E. Article in Seattle Times

I recently read an article in the Seattle Times that some of their members of Congress are ready to fight against schools that are cutting physical education.  This is an interesting topic on many levels.  I think it's great that some members are willing to stand up for the importance of physical education and also recognize the short and long term effects of cutting these programs.  However, I also understand that some people do not believe this is something the government should get involved in.  The most alarming part of the article was reading the comments that people wrote about this particular article.  Some of the comments seemed uneducated, stereotypical, and flat out ignorant.  I felt it was my obligation to respond to some of them and give the physical education side of it.  The link to the article is below and I am "PE Teacher" in the comment section.
 http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017162406_physicaled05.html